Random Thoughts 2

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Doc Creed

Well-Known Member
Nov 18, 2015
17,221
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"What a glorious greeting the sun gives the mountains."
-John Muir

I hope everyone enjoys every second of this summer. It passes way too quickly. My favorite month in Alabama is April but all year I look forward to summer because the corn is high, gardens are plentiful, and people seem happier. I'm thinking about buying a Crimson Sweet watermelon. I remember my grandmother hauling a fifteen pound oblong watermelon to her basement, setting it on spread-out newspapers, and slicing it open with a ten inch blade. In the cool cavern of the basement, my feet cool on dirty concrete, we swatted flies away from the wet pink paper and ate and laughed.
 

ghost19

"Have I run too far to get home?"
Sep 25, 2011
8,926
56,578
51
Arkansas
"What a glorious greeting the sun gives the mountains."
-John Muir

I hope everyone enjoys every second of this summer. It passes way too quickly. My favorite month in Alabama is April but all year I look forward to summer because the corn is high, gardens are plentiful, and people seem happier. I'm thinking about buying a Crimson Sweet watermelon. I remember my grandmother hauling a fifteen pound oblong watermelon to her basement, setting it on spread-out newspapers, and slicing it open with a ten inch blade. In the cool cavern of the basement, my feet cool on dirty concrete, we swatted flies away from the wet pink paper and ate and laughed.

Very cool post Doc.

I remember the 4th of July holiday growing up in southern Arkansas. It was always usually around 95-100 degrees by that time of year, maybe 80 degrees with about 1000% humidity by nightfall. Every year we went to the same place on the Little Missouri Falls River way back up in the Ouachita Mountains. We'd swim all day at the creek with our families, everyone brought something to eat, didn't seem to matter how hot it was. Everyone brought lawn chairs, umbrellas for the sun, and the grown ups would set up the grill near a small clump of trees about 20 yards from the creek. It was far enough back in the woods that no one ever took "our" spot. Everyone always seemed to be in such a good mood every year for this event, more so than Thanksgiving or Christmas it seemed. The adults would grill, sit, drink beer, talk, all us kids would swim till we were so tired we could barely walk out of the creek to collapse on beach towels and eat burgers and hot dogs. After eating, and after getting yelled at by our moms to wait 30 minutes before going back in the water, which we never did, my dad and my uncle Kenny would wade into the creek at some point, usually after a few beers, and allow us to jump into the water off their shoulders. About 6pm, all our parents would make the final call for us to get out of the creek, under penalty of death usually. Exhausted, sunburned, but still excited about the night's approaching fireworks, we'd break open the watermelons, RC Cola, and moon pies. I don't think any snack has ever tasted as good as that did after swimming all day. We'd all sit beside the creek, eating and talking, listening to our parents talk about us or other family members. My dad and my uncle would preparing a large camp fire during this time so we could see what we were doing later on, no street lights where we were, nothing even close. When nightfall finally came, the parents would bring out the sacks of fireworks they'd hidden in the cabs of the vehicles, less us kids take them while they weren't looking. My dad or my uncle would usually supervise us kids and everyone else would sit and watch, clap and yell for us as my cousins and I proved what gifted pyrotechnic wizards we were for the next couple of hours. Around 10-11pm, my dad and uncle would make all of us pick up as much as we could find as far as expended fireworks as they worked on extinguishing the bonfire. We'd all help pack up the lawn chairs, towels, and all the days trash, hugs for everybody all around as we all started the hour long drive back to town. I don't really ever remember much of that trip as I was usually stone cold passed out fifteen minutes into the journey but I do remember all of us always having a good time and the 4th of July holiday trips to Little Missouri Falls have always been one of those rare memories from childhood that I always look back on and cherish.
 

Neesy

#1 fan (Annie Wilkes cousin) 1st cousin Mom's side
May 24, 2012
61,289
239,271
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
:rofl: arista. that is so bunny...:rofl:
Who's Bunny? :eyebrow::question_pig:


giphy.gif
 

thekidd12

Baseball is a good thing.Always was,always will be
Apr 8, 2016
1,791
11,136
60
NC
Very cool post Doc.

I remember the 4th of July holiday growing up in southern Arkansas. It was always usually around 95-100 degrees by that time of year, maybe 80 degrees with about 1000% humidity by nightfall. Every year we went to the same place on the Little Missouri Falls River way back up in the Ouachita Mountains. We'd swim all day at the creek with our families, everyone brought something to eat, didn't seem to matter how hot it was. Everyone brought lawn chairs, umbrellas for the sun, and the grown ups would set up the grill near a small clump of trees about 20 yards from the creek. It was far enough back in the woods that no one ever took "our" spot. Everyone always seemed to be in such a good mood every year for this event, more so than Thanksgiving or Christmas it seemed. The adults would grill, sit, drink beer, talk, all us kids would swim till we were so tired we could barely walk out of the creek to collapse on beach towels and eat burgers and hot dogs. After eating, and after getting yelled at by our moms to wait 30 minutes before going back in the water, which we never did, my dad and my uncle Kenny would wade into the creek at some point, usually after a few beers, and allow us to jump into the water off their shoulders. About 6pm, all our parents would make the final call for us to get out of the creek, under penalty of death usually. Exhausted, sunburned, but still excited about the night's approaching fireworks, we'd break open the watermelons, RC Cola, and moon pies. I don't think any snack has ever tasted as good as that did after swimming all day. We'd all sit beside the creek, eating and talking, listening to our parents talk about us or other family members. My dad and my uncle would preparing a large camp fire during this time so we could see what we were doing later on, no street lights where we were, nothing even close. When nightfall finally came, the parents would bring out the sacks of fireworks they'd hidden in the cabs of the vehicles, less us kids take them while they weren't looking. My dad or my uncle would usually supervise us kids and everyone else would sit and watch, clap and yell for us as my cousins and I proved what gifted pyrotechnic wizards we were for the next couple of hours. Around 10-11pm, my dad and uncle would make all of us pick up as much as we could find as far as expended fireworks as they worked on extinguishing the bonfire. We'd all help pack up the lawn chairs, towels, and all the days trash, hugs for everybody all around as we all started the hour long drive back to town. I don't really ever remember much of that trip as I was usually stone cold passed out fifteen minutes into the journey but I do remember all of us always having a good time and the 4th of July holiday trips to Little Missouri Falls have always been one of those rare memories from childhood that I always look back on and cherish.
This^^^

Thank you.
 

Neesy

#1 fan (Annie Wilkes cousin) 1st cousin Mom's side
May 24, 2012
61,289
239,271
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
View attachment 26348
Lady in middle of course
That thing about the hot dog?

It's on our news right now - apparently they wrap these hot dogs in duct tape? It hit her squarely in the face "like a ton of bricks" (as she said). Sounds like her glasses broke and she ended up in the Emergency Room just to make sure she didn't have a concussion?

Wow

images
 

thekidd12

Baseball is a good thing.Always was,always will be
Apr 8, 2016
1,791
11,136
60
NC
That thing about the hot dog?

It's on our news right now - apparently they wrap these hot dogs in duct tape? It hit her squarely in the face "like a ton of bricks" (as she said). Sounds like her glasses broke and she ended up in the Emergency Room just to make sure she didn't have a concussion?

Wow

images
Yeah I looked it up...

Could have been much worse possibly...

Never underestimate the power of a sandwich projectile...



Sorry.
 

Doc Creed

Well-Known Member
Nov 18, 2015
17,221
82,822
47
United States
Very cool post Doc.

I remember the 4th of July holiday growing up in southern Arkansas. It was always usually around 95-100 degrees by that time of year, maybe 80 degrees with about 1000% humidity by nightfall. Every year we went to the same place on the Little Missouri Falls River way back up in the Ouachita Mountains. We'd swim all day at the creek with our families, everyone brought something to eat, didn't seem to matter how hot it was. Everyone brought lawn chairs, umbrellas for the sun, and the grown ups would set up the grill near a small clump of trees about 20 yards from the creek. It was far enough back in the woods that no one ever took "our" spot. Everyone always seemed to be in such a good mood every year for this event, more so than Thanksgiving or Christmas it seemed. The adults would grill, sit, drink beer, talk, all us kids would swim till we were so tired we could barely walk out of the creek to collapse on beach towels and eat burgers and hot dogs. After eating, and after getting yelled at by our moms to wait 30 minutes before going back in the water, which we never did, my dad and my uncle Kenny would wade into the creek at some point, usually after a few beers, and allow us to jump into the water off their shoulders. About 6pm, all our parents would make the final call for us to get out of the creek, under penalty of death usually. Exhausted, sunburned, but still excited about the night's approaching fireworks, we'd break open the watermelons, RC Cola, and moon pies. I don't think any snack has ever tasted as good as that did after swimming all day. We'd all sit beside the creek, eating and talking, listening to our parents talk about us or other family members. My dad and my uncle would preparing a large camp fire during this time so we could see what we were doing later on, no street lights where we were, nothing even close. When nightfall finally came, the parents would bring out the sacks of fireworks they'd hidden in the cabs of the vehicles, less us kids take them while they weren't looking. My dad or my uncle would usually supervise us kids and everyone else would sit and watch, clap and yell for us as my cousins and I proved what gifted pyrotechnic wizards we were for the next couple of hours. Around 10-11pm, my dad and uncle would make all of us pick up as much as we could find as far as expended fireworks as they worked on extinguishing the bonfire. We'd all help pack up the lawn chairs, towels, and all the days trash, hugs for everybody all around as we all started the hour long drive back to town. I don't really ever remember much of that trip as I was usually stone cold passed out fifteen minutes into the journey but I do remember all of us always having a good time and the 4th of July holiday trips to Little Missouri Falls have always been one of those rare memories from childhood that I always look back on and cherish.
Thanks.
Great memory, Ghost. Is there any better deep sleep than crashing after a day like that? I have similar memories from my family's river trips: grilling, fishing, swimming and guzzling cold drinks. Most of my younger cousins usually collapsed into a semi-coma from too much sugary drinks without food on the stomach. Do you think you and Tamara will take the family to Little Missouri Falls?
 

Neesy

#1 fan (Annie Wilkes cousin) 1st cousin Mom's side
May 24, 2012
61,289
239,271
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Wow - it's been six months now since December (when I retired). My stress level went down quite a bit and it's been a bit of an adjustment to not have to get up and go to work, fight the traffic etc.

I miss some of the people but overall I would have to say it's been pretty good so far!

I'm glad I have this place to come to :love_heart::love_heart::love_heart::tickled_pink:
 

ghost19

"Have I run too far to get home?"
Sep 25, 2011
8,926
56,578
51
Arkansas
Thanks.
Great memory, Ghost. Is there any better deep sleep than crashing after a day like that? I have similar memories from my family's river trips: grilling, fishing, swimming and guzzling cold drinks. Most of my younger cousins usually collapsed into a semi-coma from too much sugary drinks without food on the stomach. Do you think you and Tamara will take the family to Little Missouri Falls?

Don't really know to be honest Doc. It's about 5 hours away from where I live now, way down in the SW corner of the state. The town I grew up was almost Normal Rockwell-ish in its distance from larger cities, history, and size. All my family on both sides lived within about 25 miles one way or the other. I've lived in NW Arkansas for so long now that the first fourteen years or so I lived there seem like a distant, well remembered dream.I do remember being a lot happier there than I was moving up to the city, things were much simpler, life moved much more slowly. I'm not sure if I could convey that verbally to my wife or to my son. They both grew up in more urban areas and I'm not sure if my frame of reference would be understood, and I'd just come off as babbling meaninglessly like I do here on the board. I haven't been to that area for around 15 years now. The last time was for my dad's 50th birthday celebration and he's 65 now. I'd planned, eventually, to return to that area maybe to live at some point when I get older but I've got my son up here and I want to make sure he's taken care of. I'd love to go back and visit, but would it be selfish to say I'd almost rather go alone, sir? I don't mean that in a bad way toward my family, but I'd just love to drive and walk around the place and reminisce with no one watching as I think trying to explain how we lived, how we grew up, and how much I enjoyed living there would be lost in translation, ya' know?
 

GNTLGNT

The idiot is IN
Jun 15, 2007
87,651
358,754
62
Cambridge, Ohio
You ever go out of the house thinking this outfit looks good. Get to the office in the harsh light of fluorescent lighting and rethink your decision. Asking for a friend.
....nah.....I look fat before I leave the house....get to work....yep, still fat.......like I was lose 10 pounds out the back of the Jeep....only way that would happen is if my sub-woofer fell out the tailgate.....
 
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